Yes. Harris was not worse than Witherspoon in coverage, but a much better tackler and much better in run support. He won't be given the toughest covers.

All of that is true. Sherman is most effective when the 49er pass rush is effective. He seems to know when to keep his eyes on a QB under pressure. It sometimes gets him burned when he is late to turn and cover, but it has allowed him to make a couple of interceptions this season.

But all of our guys are tough covers

So it sounds like you think he’s going to be responsible for the short zone (hook, flats) and not deep cover 3 responsibilities?

Honestly is probably more critical against KC than the deep third responsibility.

Do you have a link, my friend?

That's my guess. He's got decent anticipation and good tackling skills to prevent YAC. Tartt and Ward will have deep duties.

PFFs grader has Jimmy Ward as better than Mathieu.

So yeah, PFF is full of shit.

It's just so weird to me that they're seen as objective when their model comes down to a 'data scientist' who is essentially Clay grading snaps for them. It's as subjective as you or I grading reps.

It's still just as prone to the 49ers guy grading easier than the Chiefs guy as anything.

Honestly, I'd trust Clay over PFF. Some of the grades PFF comes up with is pure WTF.

IN prior years, most 49er fans would have agreed with you. Many were scratching their heads as to why management stuck with Ward. This year? He's been pretty good. Pro Bowl alternate good. Better than Mathieu? I dunno about that, but Ward's not chopped liver.

Pro bowl alternate guys!!!!!

Here’s the link

https://youtu.be/Xqkg9KUXJks

STOP REPLYING TO THE TROLLS AND THEY WILL GO AWAY

I’ve been saying throughout this entire thread that our pass rush will be a bigger problem for them than theirs will be for us. Here is just more evidence of this.

This is a somewhat lengthy pod but a good listen: https://twitter.com/adamlefkoe/statu...498086400?s=21

It’s Warren Sharp and Adam Lefkoe talking about the game in great detail with the added element of Sharp’s analytical system.

Sharp says that the SF defense is being greatly overrated and he goes into supreme detail as to why, including why KC is a very dangerous matchup for them. Beyond anything I could type up here — but I’ll add a couple of details.

- Apparently SF has never played an offense that uses anywhere close to as much motion as KC (by the numbers). Their pass defense has had much lower success rates against motions when they have seen them.

- DJ will like the line in there about how SFs pass rush productivity is league average on 1st and 2nd down, but the best in the league on 3rd down.

- He says that 11 personnel is SFs biggest issue and they are worst in the NFL in success rate against 11 inside the red zone. The Niners in general have one of the worst RZ rates as a defense in general, per Sharp’s data.

- 49ers defense came in dead last among the 12 playoff teams in terms of defensive success rate against play action.

- Big picture: 49ers defense is totally reliant on getting 3rd down sacks based on Sharp’s data. Sharp says just stay aggressive if you’re KC, pass and pass some more, and avoid those 3rd and longs.

On the flip side.... they do seem to expect a lot of points in this game, even from SF.

- He sees Garoppolo in a much better light than the media perception.

- Chiefs defense had the worst run defense success rate against run plays that had pre-snap motion. Chiefs defense is also rated out badly against play action.

- Chiefs defense is the #2 pass rushing defense on 3rd down (behind SF).

- Chiefs defense 5th worst against 21 personnel, 49ers use it frequently.

- Chiefs defense is very good on early downs with cover 3, but Garoppolo has been equally good against it on early downs.

**** off, We're about to put Pat on a Vegan diet. On Sunday,He's going to eat a lot of Grass.